JP2006318262A - Printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow an infrastructure-connected printer to perform direct printing by releasing the infrastructure connection and transiting the connection to adhoc connection when an adhoc connection is requested from a digital camera to the infrastructure-connected printer in a direct printing system based on wireless connection. <P>SOLUTION: The printing system is constituted of wireless connection between the digital camera and the printer and both of the digital camera and the printer are respectively provided with detection means for detecting a target. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system, and more specifically, to a wireless connection method when electronic information captured by a still camera, a video camera, or the like that records a still image is printed from a printer device by wireless connection.

  With the development of computer technology in recent years, its use environment is also being used in a network environment. In addition, there is a growing demand for easily building a network environment at home without limiting to office use. Therefore, the construction of a network environment by wireless connection that does not require connection with a dedicated connection cable is actively performed, and standardization of various communication methods such as IEEE 802.11 is also progressing. For example, in the case of IEEE 802.11, as the connection form, an infrastructure connection that is connected to a network terminal via an access point and an ad hoc connection that is directly connected to each other without going through an access point are defined. Yes.

As a conventional example, for example, Patent Document 1 can be cited.
JP 2002-101104 A

  Here, when an attempt is made to realize a print system having a direct print function that does not involve a computer, which is actively performed by wired connection, wireless communication must be performed by ad hoc connection. However, as a printer device alone, infrastructure connection via an access point is possible, and it is convenient that the printer device can be used as a network printer device because of its wide range of use. That is, a situation in which direct printing is instructed to a printer device connected as an infrastructure as a network printer device is also assumed. When a direct print request from a digital camera is sent directly to the printer device in an environment where the printer device is connected to an infrastructure via an access point (when an ad hoc connection request is made from the camera to the printer device) Since the printer device does not go through an access point, a situation in which a print request from a digital camera cannot be received occurs, and there is a problem in usability.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a system that can respond to an ad hoc connection request from a digital camera even when a printer apparatus is in infrastructure connection.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in the printing system according to claim 1, the printer device includes a detecting unit that detects an ad hoc connection request during infrastructure connection, and a unit that releases the infrastructure connection. Build a more user-friendly printing system that shifts to ad hoc connection even during infrastructure connection.

  As described above, according to the present invention, even if a wireless terminal printer having a direct print function is connected to an infrastructure as a network printer, in response to a direct print request from a digital camera having a direct print function, Since the infrastructure connection is released and the system shifts to an ad hoc connection, direct printing can be realized and a more convenient printing system can be provided.

  FIG. 9 shows a conceptual diagram of this embodiment. An arbitrary wireless terminal A 901 is connected to an access point A 903 by a wireless path 902. Similarly, an arbitrary wireless terminal B 906 is connected to the access point A 903 via the wireless path 907. The printer device 907 is connected to the access point B 909 via a wireless path 908. Similarly, an arbitrary wireless terminal C 910 is also connected to the access point B 909 by a wireless path 911. Access point A 903 and access point B 909 are connected by a wired or wireless network 904. Arbitrary wireless terminals A 901, B 905, C 910 and the printer device 907 are not directly connected but are all connected via an access point. Such a connection form via an access point is called an infrastructure connection. A connection form in which wireless terminals are directly connected via a wireless path 915 without using an access point like an arbitrary wireless terminal D 914 and an arbitrary wireless terminal E 916 for infrastructure connection is called ad hoc connection. In the present invention, when the digital camera 912 requests an ad hoc connection via the wireless path 913 as a wireless terminal not connected to the infrastructure to the printer apparatus 907 connected to the infrastructure via the access point B 909, the printer apparatus 907 cancels the infrastructure connection connected by the wireless path 908 and configures the digital camera 912 and the wireless path 913 to perform ad hoc connection, so that a direct print request from the digital camera 912 can be made even when the infrastructure is connected. Accept.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

  First, typical ones among those in which standardization of various wireless communication systems described in the present embodiment is promoted will be described.

  An example of standardization of a method for transmitting and receiving packetized data wirelessly using electromagnetic waves is given by the IEEE Standard Committee under the name IEEE std 802.11 and the physical layer and media access control layer (hereinafter referred to as IEEE std 802.11). And abbreviated as MAC layer), and a higher speed physical layer and MAC layer are standardized under the names IEEE std 802.11b and IEEE std 802.11a. Here, IEEE std 802.11 includes not only electromagnetic waves but also infrared rays. In contrast, IEEE std 802.11b and IEEE std 802.11a are currently only electromagnetic waves.

  Moreover, the frequency band of the electromagnetic wave used by IEEE std 802.11 and IEEE std 802.11b is a 2.4 GHz (gigahertz) band that does not require the user to obtain a license.

  In IEEE std 802.11, the communication speed is 1 Mbit / second (megabit per second) to 2 Mbit / second, but in IEEE std 802.11b, the communication speed of 5.5 Mbit / second and 11 Mbit / second is added to the above. IEEE std 802.11a defines a communication speed of 6 Mbit / second to 54 Mbit / second, although the frequency band of the electromagnetic wave used is different. The communication distance of a product compliant with IEEEstd 802.11b is about 30 m at 11 Mbps, and longer distance communication is possible by lowering the communication speed.

  As a wireless communication method using electromagnetic waves, IEEE std 802.11 employs both a direct spreading method (DS) method and a frequency hopping method (FH method). IEEE std 802.11b adopts the DS method.

  IEEE std 802.11a employs a method called OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing).

  Negotiation is necessary to establish connections for both ad hoc and infrastructure connections. In particular, when a wireless terminal receives a beacon signal periodically transmitted from an access point, the access point is authenticated. , Belonging to the access point. When processing up to this attribution ends, communication becomes possible.

  Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a control configuration of a digital camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a digital camera, and 101 denotes a central control device (CPU) that controls each unit such as the imaging unit 105 and the wireless communication unit 111 of the digital camera 1. It also has a function of performing data processing such as data conversion as necessary. Reference numeral 102 denotes a ROM (Read Only memory) unit, which is a storage medium in which program instruction codes read by the central control unit 101 are stored. Reference numeral 103 denotes a central control unit 101 that writes and reads data as necessary. A RAM (Random Access Memory) unit 104 is a timer for starting time measurement under the control of the central control device 101 and notifying the central control device 101 of the elapse of a set time. Reference numeral 105 denotes an imaging unit. Reference numeral 113 denotes an image memory unit for storing captured image data. The image memory unit includes a flash ROM built in the camera, a removable memory card, a magnetic recording medium, or the like.

  Reference numeral 106 denotes a switch unit such as a power switch. When the switch is pressed, information about the pressing of the switch is notified to the central control device 101, or the central control device 101 periodically monitors the state of the switch. It is configured as follows. Reference numeral 107 denotes a display unit such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) for performing display under the control of the central controller 101, a liquid crystal touch panel display including various operation functions of an LCD, a liquid crystal panel, and a digital camera.

  A power control unit 108 operates under the control of the central control apparatus 101 and controls the output of the power supply unit 109.

  Reference numeral 109 denotes a power supply unit, which includes, for example, a battery or an AC adapter that converts an AC 100V input into a desired DC voltage, and supplies power to each unit. The output is controlled by the power supply control unit 108 described above.

  Reference numeral 110 denotes a DMAC (Direct Memory Access Controller), which is used to transfer imaging data or the like from the RAM unit 103 or the image memory unit 113 to a memory (not shown) in the MAC layer control unit 108 of the wireless communication unit, which will be described later. It is responsible for the functions of the data processing unit and the communication processing unit.

  An internal bus 112 includes a central control device 101, a ROM unit 102, a RAM unit 103, a timer 104, an imaging unit 105, a switch unit 106, a display unit 107, a wireless communication unit 111, a power control unit 108, an image memory unit, and a DMAC 110. Is connected.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless communication unit further has a lower configuration.

  A MAC layer (media access control layer) control unit 201 operates in accordance with IEEE std 802.11b. Assembling / disassembling of frames to be transmitted / received wirelessly, generation of control frames, acquisition control of wireless communication channels, control of communication speed, etc. It is the part that governs. The MAC layer 201 is connected to an internal bus of a device incorporating a wireless communication unit. A baseband processing unit 202 performs modulation / demodulation, encoding / decoding, analog / digital conversion, and the like of the frame.

  Reference numeral 203 denotes an IF (Intermediate Frequency) I / Q (Inphase / Quadrature) modem unit that performs filtering of a transmission IF signal and a reception IF, four-phase modulation / demodulation, and the like. Reference numeral 204 denotes an RF / IF converter, which receives the IF signal output from the IF I / Q modem unit 203, converts the IF signal into an RF (Radio Frequency) signal, outputs the signal to the RF transceiver 205, and outputs the RF transceiver 205 When the RF signal received by the antenna 206 is input via the RF transmission / reception unit 205, it is converted into an IF signal to the IF I / Q modem unit 203. It is a part for output. Reference numeral 205 denotes an RF transmission / reception unit that performs RF signal amplification and transmission / reception switching according to instructions from the MAC layer control unit 201. Reference numeral 206 denotes an antenna for outputting the output signal of the RF transceiver unit 205 as an electromagnetic wave or converting the received electromagnetic wave into an electrical signal that is an RF signal. The baseband processing unit 202 to the antenna 206 are for forming a physical layer conforming to IEEE std 802.11b. Here, as described above, when the antenna 206 operates as a communication processing unit from the MAC layer control unit 201, data including various commands is transmitted and received.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the printer as the information terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 3, 3 is a printer, and 301 is a central control unit (CPU) that controls each unit such as the print engine unit 305 and the wireless communication unit 311 of the printer 3. It also has a function of performing data processing such as data conversion as necessary. Reference numeral 302 denotes a ROM (Read Only memory) unit, which is a storage medium in which program instruction codes read by the CPU 301 are stored, and 303 denotes a RAM (Random) for the CPU 301 to write and read data as necessary. An access memory (304) is a timer for starting time measurement under the control of the CPU 301 and notifying the CPU 301 of the elapse of a set time. Reference numeral 305 denotes a print engine unit. In the embodiment of the present invention, the print engine unit is configured by using, for example, a sublimation thermal transfer system as a print system.

  Reference numeral 306 denotes a switch unit such as a power switch, and when the switch is pressed, the CPU 301 is notified of information that the switch is pressed, or the CPU 301 periodically monitors the state of the switch. . Reference numeral 307 denotes a display unit such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) for performing display under the control of the CPU 301, an LCD, a liquid crystal panel, a liquid crystal touch panel display including various operation functions of a digital camera, and the like.

  A power supply control unit 308 operates under the control of the CPU 301 and controls the output of the power supply unit 309.

  Reference numeral 309 denotes a power supply unit, which includes, for example, a battery or an AC adapter that converts an AC 100V input into a desired DC voltage, and supplies power to each unit. The output is controlled by the power supply control unit 308 described above.

  Reference numeral 310 denotes a DMAC (Direct Memory Access Controller), which disassembles received frames from a memory (not shown) in the MAC layer control unit 201 of the wireless communication unit and transfers the stored print data to the RAM unit 303. For example, the data processing unit and the communication processing unit function.

  Reference numeral 312 denotes an internal bus that connects the CPU 301 to the ROM unit 302, the RAM unit 303, the timer 304, the print engine unit 305, the switch unit 306, the display unit 307, the wireless communication unit 311, the power supply control unit 308, and the DMAC 310.

  FIG. 4 shows a printing system to which the digital camera according to the present invention can be applied. 401 is the digital camera 1 shown in FIG. 1, 402 is a wireless path, 403 is the printer apparatus shown in FIG. 3, 404 is a wireless path, 405 is an access point, and 406 is a network. The printer device 403 is connected to the network 406 via the wireless path 404 and the access point 405, and the 403 printer device is in an infrastructure connection state. A direct print request is made from the digital camera 401 to the printer device 403 connected to the infrastructure via the wireless path 402.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a hierarchical structure of data processing applied to the digital camera and printer of the present invention.

  In FIG. 5, reference numeral 501 denotes an application layer that varies depending on the device and function, and 502 denotes an application interface (API), which is a part that bridges the application layer 501 and the RFCOMM 504 and the like.

  Different protocol stacks are implemented depending on the profile. For example, serial port emulation is used for serial port profiles, headset control is used for headset profiles, and dialing is used for dial-up connection profiles and facsimile profiles. • A protocol stack called AND Control is required for this part.

  A protocol 503 is called SDP (Service Discovery Protocol), and is a protocol used by the application layer 501 to know service information of a communication partner apparatus. Reference numeral 504 is called RFCOMM, and is a layer used to logically connect application layers of two devices.

  A protocol 505 is called LMP (Link Management Protocol), and is a protocol for controlling and managing a communication link defined by the baseband 507. 506 is called L2CAP (Logical Link Control & Adaptation Protocol), and is a protocol for performing functions such as logical channel setting, packet segmentation and reconfiguration, and data distribution and multiplexing according to protocol type. It is.

  Reference numeral 507 denotes a baseband layer, which is a communication link of a communication system called SCO (Synchronous Connection Oriented) that communicates audio in synchronization with a clock of a fixed period or a communication system called ACL (Asynchronous Connectionless) that communicates non-voice data asynchronously. This is a part for providing the SCO, assembling / disassembling the SCO packet and the ACL packet, and performing error correction. The RF unit 508 is a part that transmits and receives radio waves using a frequency hopping type spread spectrum system using a frequency of 2.4 GHz band.

  Next, each configuration will be described in detail.

  First, on the digital camera 1 side, a CCD that receives subject light incident on a predetermined position via a photographing lens (not shown) at a predetermined position and photoelectrically converts it to generate an image signal, and a CCD that drives and controls the CCD. A driver and an analog / digital (hereinafter referred to as A / D) conversion circuit are arranged. The output of the CCD is connected to the input of the CPU 101 via an analog / digital (hereinafter referred to as A / D) conversion circuit and a RAM unit 103 in the subsequent stage. The CCD is driven and controlled by a CCD driver under the command of the CPU 101.

  The switch unit 106 includes a reproduction mode switch 106a for instructing display of a liquid crystal display element (hereinafter referred to as LCD) 107a provided in the display unit 107, and switches 106b and 106c for selecting a captured image to be displayed. And a print switch 106d for instructing printing. These various switches 106a, 106b, 106c, and 106d are arranged in the vicinity of the LCD 107a on the back of the digital camera 1, for example, as shown in detail in FIG.

  Further, on the digital camera 1 side, a VRAM is disposed in the display unit 107, and the output of the CPU 101 is connected to the input of the LCD 107a via the VRAM. The LCD 107a has a backlight drive circuit, and is disposed at a predetermined position on the back surface of the digital 1, as shown in FIG.

  The wireless communication unit 111 is connected to the wireless communication unit 311 on the printer 3 side through wireless communication of a predetermined wireless data transmission method, and realizes both communication.

  Further, the power control unit 108 supplies the voltage of the power source 109 to the display unit 107, the imaging unit 105, and the wireless communication unit 111 with predetermined timing under the control of the CPU 101.

  The digital camera 1 has an auto power-off function that can be automatically switched to a power-off state (power off) after a set time has elapsed under the control of the CPU 101.

  On the other hand, on the printer 3 side, the wireless communication unit 111 on the digital camera 1 side and the wireless communication unit 311 on the printer 3 side are connected to each other via wireless communication of a predetermined wireless data transmission method. The output of 311 is connected to the input of the CPU 301. The output of the CPU 301 is connected to the print engine unit 305, the RAM unit 303, and the like.

  The print engine unit 305 includes a paper transport unit, an ink ribbon transport unit, a buffer memory, a head controller, a print head, and the like.

  In the configuration as described above, first, the operation on the digital camera 1 side will be described. After an image is imaged by the CCD in the imaging unit 105, the analog signal is input to the A / D conversion circuit. This analog signal is converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion circuit and then temporarily stored in the RAM unit 103.

  The data stored in the RAM unit 103 is read by the CPU 101, and various processes such as color conversion such as white balance and JPEG image compression are performed by an internal calculation unit. Then, after the various processes are performed, the image data is sequentially stored in the image memory unit 113 for each shooting frame.

  In this state, when the playback mode switch 106a of the switch unit 106 is operated by the operator, the operation information is recognized by the CPU 101, and the image data of the image memory unit 113 is read out under the control of the CPU 101, and displayed on the LCD. Therefore, the compressed image data is decompressed and output to the display unit 107, and the data is written into the display image memory VRAM so that the display image appears on the LCD 107a. At this time, power is supplied to the backlight driving circuit.

  Subsequently, when the switches 106b and 106c of the switch unit are operated by the operator, the image data stored in the image memory unit 113 is appropriately selected and similarly displayed sequentially on the LCD 107a of the display unit 107 as a display image. When the user operates the print switch 106d in a state where an image desired to be printed on the digital camera 1 side is displayed on the LCD 107a as a reproduced image, the digital camera 1 transmits image data to the digital camera 3 and prints it. Operation starts. Here, in order to transmit image data for direct printing, the digital camera 1 and the printer 3 need to be in an ad hoc connection state. Therefore, when the print switch 106d is operated, the digital camera 1 tries an ad hoc connection. When the printer 3 is not connected anywhere, the printer 3 is ad-hoc connected to the digital camera 1 in response to a request from the digital camera 1. However, as shown in FIG. 4, when the printer 403 is connected to the infrastructure via the wireless path 404 via the access point 405, the printer 403 releases the infrastructure connection and shifts to the ad hoc connection according to the negotiation request from the digital camera 401. To do. The flowchart is shown in FIG. In S1001, it is determined whether or not the infrastructure is connected. If the infrastructure is connected, the infrastructure connection is canceled in S1002, and negotiation is performed so as to shift to the ad hoc connection in S1003. If it is not determined in step S1001 that the infrastructure is connected, negotiation is performed in step S1003 to perform an ad hoc connection.

  After the ad hoc connection is completed, the CPU 301 on the printer 3 side receives the image file data from the camera 1 to execute direct printing, and temporarily stores the image file data in the RAM unit 303.

  The CPU 301 performs decompression processing of the image file data stored in the RAM unit 303, and first, in another area of the RAM unit 303, for each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). Data is sequentially expanded for one screen, and then direct print processing is performed. At this time, processing such as gamma conversion processing and edge enhancement processing for each color is also performed.

  In the print engine unit 305, the CPU 301 drives the paper transport unit to feed the paper to be printed, sets the paper at the print start head position, and simultaneously buffers the print image data stored in the RAM unit 303. Transfer to the memory and control the print head via the head controller to start printing. The print head is capable of simultaneously printing data for one line of printing paper, and the paper transport unit transports the paper for one line every time printing for one line is completed. In this way, the CPU 301 is driven in the print engine unit 305 while synchronizing the transfer of the paper transport unit and the print data to the print head, and when the desired image printing operation is completed, the CPU 301 drives the paper transport unit. To eject the paper.

  In order to save power, at least part of the period during which data is sent from the digital camera 1 to the printer 3, a backlight driving circuit for the LCD 107a of the display unit 107, a signal processing circuit that operates during imaging, For example, the drive of a CCD driver, a photographing lens drive system, or a strobe charging circuit is stopped.

  Here, when the digital camera 1 and the printer 3 are connected via wireless communication in a predetermined wireless data transmission format, the digital camera 1 transmits a connection confirmation signal to the printer 3, whereby the printer 3 On the side, it is recognized that the digital camera 1 is connected, and a response signal is returned to the digital camera 1 side.

  Hereinafter, the CPU 101 of the digital camera 1 after the print switch 106d is pressed with reference to the flowchart of the direct print process on the digital camera 1 side in FIG. 7 and the flowchart of the direct print process on the printer 3 side in FIG. The operation of the CPU 301 of the printer 3 will be described.

  First, the operation of the CPU 101 of the digital camera 1 will be described.

  When the print switch 106d is pressed (step S701), the CPU 101 transmits a connection confirmation signal to the printer 3 via the wireless communication unit 111 (step S702), and obtains a response signal from the printer 3 (step S702). In step S703), a confirmation operation is performed to determine whether the printer 3 is connected to the digital camera 1 via wireless communication. If a response signal is obtained from the printer 3, the connection is confirmed and the process proceeds to the next step. If the response signal cannot be obtained, the connection cannot be confirmed. G. Transition to processing. Next, the CPU 101 transmits a printer status request signal to the printer 3 via the wireless communication unit 111 (step S704), and obtains a printer status signal from the printer 3 (step S705). Then, the printer status signal is analyzed (step S706), and it is determined whether or not the printer is ready for printing (step S707). If the printer is ready to print, go to the next step. If the printer is not ready to print, G. Transition to processing. For example, when printing is in progress, when printing paper is not set, when an ink ribbon is not set, or when a problem such as a jam occurs in the print engine. Or a failure state, a printer image processing function failure, a printer RAM portion failure, or a sufficient area cannot be secured.

  In each step so far, N.I. G. When the process is shifted to, the state corresponding to each situation, for example, a message such as a connection error or a printer error is displayed on the display unit 107 to notify the user.

  Next, the CPU 101 transmits a data transmission start signal to the printer 3 via the wireless communication unit 111 (step S708), and waits for a data reception OK signal from the printer 3. When the CPU 101 receives the data reception OK signal from the printer 3 (step S709), the CPU 101 sets the auto power off function of the power control unit 108 to be invalid (step S710), and starts transmission of the image file data. (Step 711). When the transmission of the necessary data amount is completed (step S712), the CPU 101 cancels the auto power function invalid setting of the power control unit 108 (step S713), and transmits a data transmission end signal to the printer 3 (step S713). In step S714, a data reception completion signal from the printer 3 is awaited. Then, a data reception completion signal is received from the printer 3 (step S715), and the state of the digital camera 1 is reset to a state before the print switch 106d is pressed (step S716).

  Next, the operation of the CPU 301 of the printer 3 will be described.

  The CPU 301 monitors an input signal to the wireless communication unit 311 in a power-on state, and outputs a response signal to the wireless communication unit 311 according to the input signal to control the operation of the printer 3.

  When the CPU 301 receives a connection confirmation signal via the wireless communication unit 311 (step S801), the CPU 301 transmits a response signal that tells the digital camera 1 that it is connected to the digital camera 1 via the wireless communication unit 311 ( Step S802).

  Next, when the CPU 301 receives a printer status request signal via the wireless communication unit 311 (step S803), the CPU 301 checks the inside of the printer 3 (step S804), and uses the check result as a printer status signal as a digital camera. 1 (step S805). If there is an abnormality inside, G. The process proceeds to processing (step S806). Abnormal conditions include, for example, when the printing paper is not set, when the ink ribbon is not set, when there is a problem such as a jam in the print engine section, The printer image processing function is broken, the printer RAM is broken, or a sufficient area cannot be secured. In such a case, for example, a state corresponding to each situation is displayed on the display unit 307 to notify the user.

  Next, when the CPU 301 receives a data transmission start signal from the digital camera 1 via the wireless communication unit 311 (step S807), the CPU 301 performs a data reception preparation operation (step S808), and sends a data reception OK signal to the digital camera 1. Is transmitted (step S809). Then, an operation of receiving image file data is performed (step S810). Next, when a data transmission end signal is received from the digital camera 1 (step S811), the reception operation is ended (step S812), and a data reception completion signal is transmitted to the digital camera 1 (step S813).

  The image file data sent at this time may be sent in a state including data such as the shooting conditions of the digital camera 1, such as shutter speed and exposure time. In this embodiment, an image file compressed by the JPEG method is used as an image file.

  Next, the compressed image file of the JPEG system is subjected to image processing that expands in the opposite direction to that at the time of compression, and is expanded and developed into the original image (step S814). Next, the correction table for the image data to be applied is called and set from the photographing condition data included in the image file (step S815). This correction table is used in combination with a color conversion table set in the printer to convert image data for each printing color into print data.

  Further, in accordance with the color of the printing ink ribbon, first, yellow (hereinafter referred to as “Y”) data is developed in the RAM unit 303 in order to print the first color (step S816). The developed color data is sequentially output to the print head line by line to perform printing, and Y for one screen is printed (step S817).

  Next, the other colors for printing, magenta (hereinafter referred to as “M”) are similarly printed in one screen in steps S818 and S819, and cyan (hereinafter referred to as “C”) is printed in step S820. Similarly, by printing one screen in step S821, full-color printing for all one screen is completed.

  When printing of one image is completed, the printer 3 cancels the ad hoc connection and shifts to the infrastructure connection if there is an access point. Alternatively, after printing of one image is completed, if there is no print request for a certain period of time, the ad hoc connection may be canceled, and if there is an access point, the infrastructure connection may be made. Further, the configuration may be such that the transition time to the infrastructure connection is variable by setting the shooting mode of the digital camera 1. For example, when the shooting mode of the digital camera 1 is always set to a mode that involves printing, printing is premised, so it is possible to set the release of the ad hoc connection longer than usual.

It is a block diagram explaining the control structure of the digital camera which shows embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the radio | wireless communication part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram explaining the control structure of the printer as an information terminal device which shows embodiment of this invention. 1 shows a print system to which a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied. It is a figure explaining the hierarchical structure example of the data processing applied to the digital camera of this invention, and a printer. It is a rear view of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 4 is a flowchart of direct print processing in the digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart of direct print processing in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the concept of this invention. 5 is a flowchart of printer negotiation processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Digital Camera 3 Printer 101 Digital Camera CPU
102 Digital Camera ROM Unit 103 Digital Camera RAM Unit 104 Digital Camera Timer 105 Digital Camera Imaging Unit 106 Digital Camera Switch Unit 106a Playback Mode Switch 106b Image Selection Switch 1
106c Image selection switch 2
106d Print switch 107 Digital camera display 107a LCD
108 Digital Camera Power Supply Control Unit 109 Digital Camera Power Supply 110 Digital Camera DMAC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 111 Digital camera wireless communication part 112 Digital camera internal bus 113 Digital camera image memory part 201 MAC layer control part 202 Baseband process part 203 IF I / Q MODEM part 204 RF / IF conversion part 205 RF transmission / reception part 206 Antenna 301 Printer CPU
302 Printer ROM Unit 303 Printer RAM Unit 304 Printer Timer 305 Printer Engine Unit 306 Printer Switch Unit 307 Printer Display Unit 308 Printer Power Supply Control Unit 309 Printer Power Supply 310 Printer DMAC
311 Printer wireless communication unit 401 Digital camera 402 Wireless path 1
403 Printer 404 Wireless path 2
405 access point 406 network 501 application layer 502 API
503 SDP
504 RECOMM
505 LMP
506 L2CAP
507 Baseband 508 RF
509 Voice / Audio 901 Wireless terminal A
902 Radio path 1
903 Access point A
904 Network 905 Wireless terminal B
906 Radio path 2
907 Printer 908 Wireless path 3
909 Access point B
910 Wireless terminal C
911 Radio path 4
912 Digital camera 913 Wireless path 5
914 Wireless terminal D
915 Radio path 6
916 Wireless terminal E

Claims (4)

  Imaging means for converting an optical image of a field to be photographed into an electronic image signal, recording means for recording a signal photoelectrically converted by the imaging means on a recording element, and reproducing an electric signal recorded on the recording element A digital camera having a reproducing means for displaying, a display means for displaying an image reproduced by the reproducing means, a printer device for printing out an electronic image signal picked up by the digital camera on a recording sheet, the digital camera, and the digital camera In a printing system comprising communication means for communicating between printer devices, when the communication means between the digital camera and the printer device is wireless communication, and the printer device is connected via an access point to an infrastructure, In response to an ad hoc connection request from the digital camera that does not go through the access point, the infrastructure Printing system disconnects, characterized in that it shifts to the ad hoc connection between the digital camera.   2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein after the transition to the ad hoc connection, when the printing of one image is completed, the printer apparatus releases the ad hoc connection and shifts to the infrastructure connection.   2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein when there is no print request from the camera for a certain period of time after shifting to an ad hoc connection, the printer device releases the ad hoc connection and shifts to an infrastructure connection.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein after the transition to the ad hoc connection, the transition time to the infrastructure connection is changed by setting the shooting mode of the camera.

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